Peanut Cactus

Echinopsis chamaecereus

Native to: Tucuman, Argentina

General: It is a hardy cactus, having survived down to 20F without damage and also takes the heat well. It grows in 3-6 inch segments, up to 6 inches long, and 1/2-inch-wide stem joints tend to be about the size of an unshelled peanut as well, giving it its common name.

Flowers: The flowers are generally red, but orange, yellow and white flowered forms also sometimes appear.

Fruit/Seed: Fruit and seeds are very small and the plant does not mainly depend on this method of propagation.

Pollination: The bright colors of the flowers often attract birds to come to the cactus and draw nectar from the flower.

Seed dispersal: The seed dispersal method by the peanut cactus is either by wind or by bird. The peanut cactus can also go through asexual reproduction through segments of the cactus touching the ground growing roots that will itself be its own plant.

Human Uses: This cactus is usually use as a house plan due to the fact that it is easy to grow and does not require much maintenance to survive. And the needles on the cactus are not hard enough to penetrate skin making it one of the safer cactus around kids.